Lock for sheet-metal boxes.



V. H. WATTLES & P. A. REYNOLDS. LOQK FOR SHEET METAL BOXES. APPLlcAUoN FILED 1AN.24.1916.

W I TNESSES Patented Feb. 6, i917.

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INVENToRs V/c'ory Howe/a' Waff/es Perry ,4. Reyno/ds i FQE.

VICTORY HOWARD WATTLES AND PERRY A. REYNOLIDS, OF' BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

LOCK FOR SHEET-METAL BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

Application led January 24, 1916. Serial No. 73,832.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, VICTORY HOWARD lVAT'rLns and PERRY A. REYNOLDS, citizens of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Locks for Sheet-Metal Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in locks for sheet metal boxes.

The object of this invention-is to provide',

a cheap and simple lock which will remain in engagement and holdvthe lid of a sheet metal box like a mail box.

Objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation, will definitely appear from the detailed-description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claim.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a front elevation of a sheet metal box with our improved lock applied. Fig. I1 is an enlarged detail vertical section showing the lock in position on the mail box cover and the same in the locked position taken on line 2-2 of Figs. I and III. Fig. 111 is an enlarged detail vertical section with the lock front plate removed showing the arrangement of the bolt therein, and the keeper l0 taken on seetion line 3-3 of Fig. 11. Fig. IV is a perspective view of the lock back plate in the fiat. Fig. V is a side elevation of the lock back plate.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

We here show our lock used in connection with a sheet metal mail box consisting of the sheet metal box 1 with the sheet metal lid 2 suitably slotted and outer lid 3 hinged on the same pin. The casing of our lock consists of the stamped sheet metal back plate 4L and the stamped sheet metal front plate 5. The back plate is stamped as shown in Fig. V with the ears 6 at the corners and the end portions 7 and 8 cut away for the bolt. The back plate is then bent on the dotted lines of Fig. V thus forming the sides of the casing, Fig. 111. The front plate is stamped as shown in Fig. 1V having the notched corners 9 and an offset depending keeper 10 with inwardly bent engaging end 10 at right angles thereto.

Within the casing back plate, after the same has been bent as hereinabove men@ tioned, is placed the bolt 11. One end of the bolt is adapted to slide between the portions 7 while the other end loosely slides in the opening at the corner of the casing formed by the portion 8. The bolt 11 is yieldingly held in place by the flat lock spring 12 secured thereto. The bolt is adapted to be operated by a key in any well known way, a common form being shown.

The back plate is covered by the front plate and the ears of the former properly position the latter by engaging the notches 9. The casing thus assembled is secured to the box cover 2 by the ears 6 projecting through suitable slots in the cover and bent over and against the same as in Fig. I. Be tween the front lock plate and the said cover is placed the key escutcheon 13, the saine being loosely mounted in the said cover, as shown in Fig. Il. When the box is closed, engaging` portion l0 of the keeper 10 engages the slot 14 in the front wall of the box 1. l/Vhen the bolt is thrown to the locked position, as shown in Fig. 1I, the edge of the front wall of the box will be engaged between the said bolt and the engaging portion 10 of keeper 10. This therefore locks the cover securely closed even if the wall is a good deal bent.

It is seen that with the parts 'thus arranged as we have shown, the same are readily stamped from the strip of sheet metal and produced at very low cost.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

The combination of a sheet metal box with a sheet metal lid hinged thereto, a bolt lock with a sheet metal front plate disposed in the plane of said lid and having a keeper formed integrally therewith, with the engaging portion thereof at right angles to the direction of the plane of the lock bolt,

the side of the boX being perforated for engagement With the engaging portion of said keeper at a point in proximity to the end of the bolt and the bolt being disposed to engage the inside of the Wall of said box near said perforation, as specified.

In Witness whereof, We have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two Witnesses.

VICTORY HOWARD WATTLES. [L sl PERRY A. REYNOLDS. [L 8.] Witnesses:

E. Gr. WETMORE, WILLIAM WIESEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by acdressng the Commissioner o Patents, Washington, D. C. 

